Police launch crackdown after mass brawl between PSG and Aston Villa fans

The build-up to the Champions League quarter-final between PSG and Aston Villa was marred by clashes between the two sets of fans on the streets of Paris on Tuesday

Paris police have deployed five mobile units and significantly increased their presence at train stations after PSG fans clashed with Aston Villa supporters on Tuesday night. The two sides meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Many Villa fans travelled to the French capital over the course of Tuesday. But the build-up was marred by clashes between the two sets of supporters, with the main fighting coming at a bar near the famous Moulin Rogue club.

A violent brawl broke out on the street outside the bar, with punches, glasses and chairs being thrown. Villa fans had been gathering in the bar as they enjoyed the Parisian nightlife.

It is unclear how the brawl broke out. But a video filmed inside the establishment shows two groups of men fighting on the street. The French interior ministry has been battling against a rising tide of violence involving football fans this season.

In response to the violence already seen on the streets of Paris, law enforcement chiefs have deployed five mobile units to the French capital. That is according to RMC, who add that there has also been a ‘significant increase ‘in the presence of police at Parisian train stations.

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A mobile force unit will be directly assigned to monitor Villa fans, with some groups expected to gather at a location near the Parc des Princes pre-match. An estimated 3,000 Villa fans have travelled to Paris.

Only 2,000 tickets have been allocated to the Midlands side, with around 1,000 fans travelling to Paris ticketless. The French interior ministry has been taking steps to curb the violence seen at the country’s football games this year.

In a statement at the end of March, the ministry said: “Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, we have witnessed a veritable explosion of violence during professional football matches.

“No fewer than 64 matches have been marked by serious incidents . Since the start of the season, 627 arrests have been made on the sidelines of professional football matches, an increase of 41% compared to last season, when there were a total of 718.

“The Ministry of the Interior is awaiting a return to calm and an end to violence by the supporters’ clubs in question. Stadium bans and dissolutions will no longer be necessary once public order is respected and violence has ceased.

“Professional football clubs, football authorities, and supporters’ clubs have a role to play in calming the situation alongside the public authorities.”

Villa boss Unai Emery is seeking to keep his side focused on task at hand, with PSG providing a difficult test. He said: “Tomorrow is a challenge, but it’s a challenge like before because we want to compete and be protagonists on the field.

“It’s not an individual challenge with him [Enrique]. I appreciate him a lot, I respect him a lot and I will be grateful to see him. Other coaches can always learn from something that he’s doing.

“Tomorrow I will enjoy playing football with two good teams in the Champions League. Hopefully we can watch a very good match with very good players, doing our best for Aston Villa.”

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